The Alabama House of Representatives approved a $2 billion General Fund (GF) budget Tuesday, setting the stage for likely concurrence by the Senate before the measure goes to Gov. Kay Ivey for her signature. 

The Alabama Farmers Federation’s David Cole said the budget funds programs important to farmers and forest owners.

“We appreciate House Ways and Means General Fund Chairman Steve Clouse, R-Ozark, working to pass a budget that meets the needs of taxpayers and is fiscally responsible,” said Cole, the Federation’s Legislative Programs director in the House. “We also thank members of the House and Senate for recognizing the importance of agriculture and forestry to our state’s economy.” 

The GF budget fully funds the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) program at the Alabama Department of Environmental Management at $575,000. It also includes $81,403 in matching funds to help Alabama expand on-farm irrigation through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).

The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries was funded at $12 million, including $3 million for the Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) program. The Alabama Forestry Commission was level funded at $7.6 million.